Summer heat wave building in California

It isn’t news that it’s hot in the Northern San Joaquin Valley in the summertime.

But the entire state is in the grip of summer heat from a strong high-pressure system that makes relief hard to find.

In the Modesto area, a period of lovely moderate temperatures came to a halt Friday as the thermometer inched toward 100. Triple digits, or close to them, are expected for the weekend and well into next week.

It’s worse for Californians to the south. Warnings of dangerously high heat and fire danger are posted across much of Southern California heading into the weekend, with highs expected to be 10 to 15 degrees above normal.

The National Weather Service said readings of 100 to 110 degrees would be common in the valleys and lower mountains of Los Angeles and Ventura counties Friday and Saturday, followed by moderating conditions Sunday.

Back in the Northern San Joaquin Valley, forecasters called for sunny and hot conditions, with highs ranging from 97 to 101 through Thursday.

So, what’s the best way to escape the heat? The Modesto Bee put the question to readers in a post on its Facebook page.

Several recommended swimming. Nancy Martin took it a step further: “I would leave my wet clothes on all day,” she wrote.

Tamara Correnti suggested taking it easy: “Sit back in the shade with a glass of sweet tea while the kids swim,” she said.

Colleen Stephenson had a practical, if pricey, idea: “Staying indoors with the (air conditioning) on!”

Several other readers advocated getting away to the coast or Lake Tahoe, though Jeremy Zumsteg just goes au naturel: “Streaking wherever I go.”

Finally, Ariel Vierra suggested what many of us are thinking: “Crying and hiding in the tub in the fetal position.”

This story was originally published July 22, 2016 at 6:42 PM with the headline "Summer heat wave building in California."